Why I love Middle Grade

I love Middle Grade books. They are the best. And even though I write YA, I think that I’ll always come back to Middle Grade.

A lot of people say that High School is one of the most important years of your life. But I think Middle School is pretty important too. I mean, that’s where first crushes happen. And I think that’s what I love most about Middle Grade.

I’ve been re-reading the 39 Clues series, and I just finished book three. And I saw how Amy totally fell for this one guy, and I thought to myself as I read: “This is just like my first crush.” (well…second to first. But that doesn’t matter.) And I love that about Middle Grade, it’s not too over the top with romance, it’s just right. I mean…I write YA books that have romance in them, and the characters are fourteen, or fifteen. But…I know that usually…mostly in my world, not all fourteen and fifteen (or over) yearolds will fall in love, and will be so mature. (mostly the guys. Because you know…guys develop slowly than girls. Lol. But just how God created us.)

This blog post probably doesn’t make much sense…but what I’m trying to say is: Middle Grade will always be my favorite genre, it’s the one that got me writing. I read Percy Jackson and the 39 Clues before I ever picked up a YA book. I learned so much from those amazing authors, and I still read their works, I just miss those wonderful books without all...that. And I think one of the most used reasons why YA is YA, is because of the romance.

We need to go back to writing fun, funny, and not so graphic romances. And that's what I've been trying to do with my books when I write. 

It feels so good to sit back, and read a book that’s just like that. I wish more books were like that.

-Madison xoxo

Monday Blog Post

Hey everyone!! Happy Monday!

Well...I don't have Spring Break, that's next week. So I'm kind of bummed about that. BUT, in TWO WEEKS. YES. TWO. THE STORM releases. Can you believe it??? I can't!!! I gave THE STORM off to a friend who's going over it one more time. I want to be as good as it can!

In other news....I am now hooked on Lizzie Bennett Diaries. I thought it was a TV show for the longest time, but when I saw all the gifs of Lizzie and Darcy kissing, I finally looked it up, and I discovered that it wasn't on TV, it was on YouTube. So now I've been watching it. I'm on episode 14 I believe now. I even saved a bookmark onto my iPod home screen.

I'm obsessed.

Anyhoo...guess what I just did? I finished WIP!! You know, that book that's kind of like Rise of the Guardians and Young Justice rolled into one. It's DONE. I had thought of better ending to end it. The other one would have kept it going for a long time. And I think this ending would be a whole lot better.

The book is 79k. I wanted 80k...but...I was only a couple 100 words under. If I ever edit it, I'll be sure to add more.

Now, I can either write a new WIP, or give into the urge to write more Millicent and Felix. The pull almost made me stop writing WIP. I think I'm better off writing THE STORM #2.

Which leads me into THIS part of this blog post....THE STORM has gotten really good reviews so far. AND, they all say the same thing: "Felix!" I'm very proud to say that I've written a good YA Boyfriend. ;) Which...I think you all deserve a teaser...with Felix in it...

"He pressed his forehead to mine. “I told you I wouldn’t let you fall.” He said, his breath tickled my lips, and I smiled broader.

Then he kissed me."

Just a little something for all you awesome people. Don't forget about the giveaway! 40 adds on THE STORM goodreads page, and I'll giveaway stuff!! :D

I hope you all have a great week!!

-Madison xoxo

The Storm Stuff!

Have I mentioned that I stink at blog post titles? Well I do.

Anyhoo....guess what? Hope is the most awesome person ever. And she is the person who makes the covers happen. And now, the paperback cover of THE STORM is all done and ready!! It ain't perfect, but that's the photo editing site's fault, and Hope is still awesome.

April 14th 2013

Isn't it great? I can't wait to hold it in my hands!!

Also, I'm doing a little giveaway/contest/thing. If THE STORM reaches 40 to-reads on Goodreads, I will giveaway a bookmark and a bookplate. (and by chance if we get more than 40, I'll giveaway more stuff)

Here's THE STORM's GR page.

I hope you all are having a great Monday! Er...wait...Monday's are never great...but I hope you have a great rest of the week!!

-Madison xoxo

RIP Jack

When I wake up every morning...and come down the stairs, Jack is always sitting in his tank, demanding his breakfast. He always told me off in his fishy way. And I would laugh at him, and then tell my friends that my fish had a dirty mouth.

I can't do that anymore. Not in the present tense anyway...I'd tell them: "My fish Jack had a dirty mouth."

Jack is gone. And now my mornings just aren't as special anymore. 

Jack died yesterday. I came home from church to find him on his side, trying to get upright again. I fed him, and he tried to get the food, but it gave up and just floated to the top. He lived for another hour or so...I watched him die.

Some people may be like 'geez, it was a fish.' But my fish are special to me. Like a dog or a cat would be. Even right now, I'm crying about him. Jack lived a good life, I know that much. He lived almost 3 years. He was always there, he was beside me while I wrote the first words of my first novel. And even though my other fish died...Jack was always there.

So when I came down stairs this morning, and I looked in my tank. I cried. I didn't see Jack moving or anything. He's still in there...I don't have the courage to remove him. And I keep staring at that almost full container of fish food...I don't know what I'm going to do with it now...I could get another fish. But they'd all die of anyway...Jack was the only one who was able to take my not so clean way of keeping him. 

But maybe someday, when I get to Heaven, I'll be able to see my fishy again! <3

I love you Jack!

-Madison

Teaser Tuesday: The Storm

I can't remember when I did a new teaser from THE STORM...so, here it is one!

When I slid into the kitchen, Matthew scolded me for going too

fast.

“You might get too excited, and there goes the house.” He said,

turning back to the stove, where he was making eggs and bacon.

After a couple decades, he was a pretty good cook.

You like? This was one of my favorite lines. If you want some more teasers, they are in THE STORM's goodreads page! Oh, and you can read the prologue HERE.

You guys ROCK. Can't wait for the blog tour to kick off! 32 days until THE STORM releases!!

-Madison xoxo

Surprise!

Guess what I JUST released? YES! The prologue of THE STORM! You can read it here.

       

      

Ok, Millicent...calm down...just wait until THE STORM releases in April...

Share with your friends! Spread the word! :)

-Madison xoxo

Fi Doll, and other

Hi everyone!! Over the weekend, I finished my Fi doll. What do you guys think?

I think she's pretty cool. haha :P

In other news, THE STORM comes out in little over a month, and I am so excited! I'm thinking of ways to have a special little giveaway to go along with it. There is going to be a giveaway during the blog tour. I'll be giving away bookmarks, and ecopies of THE STORM. :D

I was thinking, on the lines of the giveaway on THIS blog, I was thinking a keyboard necklace. (bc, HINT: Millicent gets one in the book!) and a paperback of THE STORM!

What do you guys think? Yay? Or Nay?

OH, and don't forget to spread the word on the blog tour. (the link is here --->) and sign up yourself! :D

Have a great Tuesday!

-Madison xoxo

Oh...hello!

Oh...hello! *dusts blog off* WOW. Haven't posted in a while. *coughs over dust* sorry everyone!!

Why have I been so absent via blog and Twitter, and Facebook?? Well, Tumblr has taken over my life. :P Yes, it's true. But...I think I am back now. Hopefully...I've also been sewing a doll. It'll (mostly) look like this when I'm done:



It's supposed to look like this person from a video game. (Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword)

This is Fi: She guides Link on his journey.




Ok, off that, and onto BOOKS, and WRITING. And other random things...

I've reached 50k words in WIP. Which is REALLY exciting. Hopefully going to reach 80k or more when I'm done. AND, THE STORM comes out in.....43 days. EEEEEEEE. Also, you should totally sign up for the blog tour. Go. Now. Thanks.

And random things:

I've had a cold, which stinks. And I've been tired. BUT, upside, I've had time to sew, and write. I've also joined the choir, I am a soprano, which makes me cool. Yup.

Ok, well...there's my random catch up blog post. I hope you guys enjoyed. And I hope you guys are going to have an AWESOME weekend!!

-Madison xoxo